Washing-machine.



H. R. VANAMAN.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED DEC. 11, 191's.

Patented May16,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

LUMBIA PLANDURAPH 00-, WASHINGTON D c H. R. VANAMAN.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.11, 1915.

1,183,608. v Patent-ed May 16, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

HARRY R. VANAMAN, OF MILLVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

WASHING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application filed December 11, 1915. Serial No. 66,233.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY R. VANAMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Millville, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing- Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements 1n washing machines, the object of the invention being to provide a washing machine which can be manipulated with a minimum of power, and efiiciently wash the clothes in a reasonably short space of time.

A further object is to provide a washlng machine having improved operating mechanism for vertically reciprocating suct on cup plungers which is adapted for use 1n connection with any ordinary wash tub or other receptacle.

A further object is to provide a washmg machine which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonably low price, and which will most efficiently perform the functions for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figural is a view partly in elevation and partly 1n section illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top planview. Fig.3 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the manner of connecting the plunger rod with the pivoted frame. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevatlon of the upper end of the plunger rod. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustratlng a modification in which I employ a motor to directly operate the pivoted frame. Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating another modification in which power may be transmitted to the frame from a distance, and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

1 represents a receptacle cover and WhlCll constitutes the support for my improvements. This cover 1 may be made of any suitable material and may be provided with suitable means for attaching the same to any form of wash tub or receptacle.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated an ordinary type of receptacle 2 on which a cover 1 is secured by hinged clips 3. In Figs. 5 and 6,

the covert corresponding to cover 1 is made in two sections connected by hinges 5 so as to allow the cover to swing back whereever desired instead of removing the same. In the preferred form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide handles 6 to facilitate the manipulation of the cover. A series of par allel brackets 7 are secured to the cover 1 and support my improved pivotal frame 8.

This frame 8 comprises two relatively long bars 9, 9, which are pivotally connected between their ends to the outside brackets 7. The bars 9 are connected at one end by a cross bar 10 and a shorter bar 11 is secured to the bar 10, and is pivotally connected at its free end to the intermediate bracket 7. Bars 9, l0, and 11 constitute my improved frame which is pivotally connected to the brackets 7 and which may be operated by a handle 12 secured to bar 10.

13 represents plunger rods which are connected to the frame 7 as will be hereinafter described, and are projected through openings 11 in cover 1. plungers 15 are secured to the lower ends of therods 13, and are preferably provided with small openings 16 to allow the passage of air therethrough. I provide preferably three plungers 15', and connect the rods 13 to the bars9 and 11. Two of the rods 13 are connected to the bars 9 at the free ends of the latter, and the other rod 13 is connected to the bar 11 midway between the ends of the latter.

The manner of connecting the rods 13 to the bars of frame 8 constitutes an important feature of my invention. The said bars 9 and 11 are provided with curved slots 17 which are of general U-shape, although the upper and lower portions of the slot flare apart as shown clearly in Fig. 3. In these slots 17, rollers 18 on journal bolts 19 are adapted to move, and these journal bolts 19 are secured by nuts 20 in the bifurcated upper ends 21 of the rods 13. In other words, the bifurcated upper ends of the rods 21 straddle the frame bars and the rollers 18 carried thereby project through the slot 17, hence when the frame 8 is moved on its fulcrum or pivots, the plungers 13 are caused to reciprocate and the rollers 18 moving in the slots 17 compensate for the varying positions of the parts without imparting any material lateral movement to the rods 13. I am therefore enabled to confine the movement of the rods 13 to a longitudi- Conical suction cup nal movement, overcoming 10st motion, allowing me to provide relatively small holes 14 in cover 1, and utilizing the full movement of the frame 8 to cause an up and down movement of the suction cup plungers 15. The U-shaped slots 17 permit an easy mechanical movement, because the roller 16 as it rides through the slot, has a continuous inclined movement instead of a straight wall movement as would be the case with a straight slot, and this important form of connection reduces the power necessary to drive the machine and also overcomes sudden jars and jolts which would be the case with a straight slot in which the roller moves from one end to the other thereof.

In operation, the clothes to be washed are placed in the receptacle with soapy water and cleansing powder as is customary, and then frame 8 is rocked on its pivot or fulcrum to'impart an up and down reciprocating movement to the plungers.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, I show a motor 22 which may be operated by water or any other power to cause the reciprocation of a rack 23, the latter meshing with a segmental pinion 24. This pinion 24: is secured on a shaft 25 in a bracket 26, and is provided with a rocker arm 27 movable in a slot 28 in an extension 29 of bar 11. The reciprocation of the rack 23 causes the oscillation of rocker arm 27, and the latter imparts a pivotal movement to frame 8 as will be readily understood.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, I provide a shaft 31 supported in a bracket 30 and having a crank arm 32 movable in a slot 33 in the extension 29 of bar 11. On this shaft 31, I provide a pulley 34: which is driven by a belt 35 from any source of power.

Various other slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit proximately U-shaped slots therein with the upper and lower portions of the slots tapering toward each other and merging into a curved slot, bifurcated brackets on the rods straddling the bars, bolts extending through the brackets and slots, and rollers on the bolts in the slots, substantially as described.

2. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, and a frame on the support comprising three parallel bars con-- nected at one end by a transverse bar, and

an independent pivotal support for each of said parallel bars, of rods projecting through the support and having plungers on their lower ends, said bars having approximately U-shaped slots therein with the i upper and lower portions of the slots tapering toward each other and merging into a curved slot, bifurcated brackets on the rods straddling the bars, bolts extending through the brackets and slots, and rollers on the bolts in the slots, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY R. VANAMAN.

WVitnesses WVALTER LEROY CAMP, ORION H. VANAMAN.

Copies of this pat ent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner or Patents. Washington, D. G. 

